Awards

The Annual BHT Awards 2025 celebration event took place at Waterside Theatre Aylesbury on Thursday 16 October 2025.

The awards recognise and celebrate the achievements and commitment of individuals and teams working for Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust.

And the Winners were …

Improving Together Award:
Emergency Department Team

The Emergency Department team has achieved notable improvements in patient safety, experience, and performance over the past year by embracing change and fostering collaboration. Their initiatives have resulted in patients being seen, treated or referred more smoothly and efficiently. Regular workshops and open forums have helped the team promote new practices, improve communication, and strengthen team unity and the team’s dedication to dignity and respect for their patients has led to increased positive feedback.

People’s Award for Personal & Compassionate Care:
Colorectal Stoma Specialist Nursing Team

The colorectal stoma nurse team at Stoke Mandeville Hospital provided outstanding care, compassion, and support to the patient they were nominated by, during and after an eight-week hospital stay involving multiple surgeries. The team offered both emotional and practical assistance, delivered clear communication about the stoma process, and provided ongoing reassurance and education. Their empathetic approach helped the patient and their family through complex procedures and recovery, and their continued availability ensures the patient still feels supported and empowered to manage life after surgery.

Lifetime Contribution Award:
Geraldine de Lacy, Vascular Surgical Care Practitioner

Geraldine de Lacy has devoted over 40 years to the NHS, making a significant impact as one of the first Vascular Surgical Care Practitioners in the country. Vascular surgery is a medical specialty that diagnoses and treats diseases of the arteries, veins, and lymphatic system throughout the body (excluding the heart and brain). Renowned for her pioneering spirit and dedication, Geraldine leads the Vascular Surveillance Programme and has played a crucial role in developing new services, such as the nurse-led leg ulcer clinic. She is recognised as the backbone of the vascular team, excelling in both clinical and administrative leadership across multiple sites.

Outstanding Leadership Award:
Dr. Jas Johal & Helen Byrne, Care Group Clinical Chair and Director for Integrated Medicine

Dr. Jas Johal and Helen Byrne have displayed outstanding joint leadership in transforming the Emergency Department by implementing new services such as the Urgent Treatment Centre, Same Day Emergency Care, and the Emergency Medical Receiving Unit. Their initiatives have resulted in improved ED performance, meaning patients are seen and treated more effectively, national recognition, all while fostering a collaborative, data-driven culture within the team that has improved patient care, staff morale, and sustained positive changes across the Trust.

Outstanding Community Care Award:
Care of Next Infant Team

The Care of Next Infant Team delivers essential emotional and practical support to families grieving the sudden loss of an infant, guiding them through subsequent pregnancies and early parenthood. Led by dedicated Health Visitor Co-ordinators, they collaborate with healthcare professionals to provide tailored care, training, and education. Their compassionate, personalised approach helps alleviate family anxiety, empowers with knowledge, and supports both families and colleagues. The team is highly deserving of recognition for their outstanding service to families across Buckinghamshire.

Outstanding Acute Care Award:
Cancer Care and Haematology, the Sunrise Unit Receptionists and Data Activity Clerks

The Cancer and Haematology Reception and Data Activity Clerks deliver compassionate, professional, and dedicated support to patients during their cancer journey. As the initial point of contact, they provide a welcoming environment, emotional reassurance, and clear information, while working closely with clinical teams to improve patient care and streamline operations. Their empathy, adaptability, and commitment to patient-centred service make them an invaluable asset to the care team.

Volunteer of the Year Award:
Alan Lawson, Armed Forces Community Volunteer

Alan Lawson has provided exceptional voluntary support to Armed Forces patients, using his approachable manner and military background to connect with veterans and ensure no one is overlooked. His work has improved the Defence Medical Welfare Service and secured vital support for patients, easing pressure on clinical teams. Alan’s commitment extends to volunteering as a driver for the Florence Nightingale Hospice. He truly embodies the Trust’s CARE values by collaborating with others, advocating for vulnerable people, and enabling access to essential services.

Clinical Support Service Award:
Rapid Emergency Assessment and Care Team (REACT)

The Rapid Emergency Assessment and Care Team (REACT) delivers compassionate, person-centred care to some of the Trust’s most vulnerable patients. Their focus is on ensuring safe and timely hospital discharges and preventing unnecessary admissions by proactively supporting patients at home. Through seamless collaboration with the Discharge Team and other services, REACT makes a stressful process smoother and more dignified. The team is highly trusted for their clinical expertise, advocacy, and collaborative approach, benefiting both patients and colleagues across inpatient and community settings.

Non-Clinical Service Award:
Clair Way, Senior Administrator, Single Point of Access

Clair Way, Senior Administrator for the Single Point of Access and Transfer of Care Hub, is a key figure who consistently supports colleagues, ensures efficient processes, and fosters a positive team culture. Her leadership and collaborative approach streamline referrals and the movement of patients between services, while her dedication to staff wellbeing and development exemplifies the Trust’s core values.

CARE VALUES AWARDS

All colleagues are encouraged and expected to lead by example, living by the Trust’s CARE values of Collaborate, Aspire, Respect and Enable.

Award for Collaborate:
Amy Jackson, Community Midwife

Amy went above and beyond by supporting a colleague during a difficult homebirth, despite not being on call, demonstrating exceptional collaboration, compassion and dedication. Her actions ensured safe care for the family and emotional support for her colleague, reflecting her everyday kindness and the invaluable impact of her selfless behaviour.

Award for Aspire:
Kimberly Yoxall, General Manager, Pharmacy

Kimberly was nominated for her outstanding leadership and strategic contributions. Her dedication to continuous improvement, cross-team collaboration, and long-term planning exemplifies her role as a leader. Her aspirations, driving excellence and change across the pharmacy department, have helped ensure patients receive their medications safely and on time, improving their overall experience of care at the Trust.

Award for Respect:
The Mortuary Team

Under Helen Bewley’s compassionate leadership and example, the Mortuary Team consistently goes above and beyond to treat every patient and family with dignity, respect, care and compassion. Helen sets the tone by coordinating community support for grieving families, including culturally sensitive funeral arrangements and ongoing personal assistance. Inspired by her example, the entire team has come together to support families facing homelessness and hardship, demonstrating a deeply rooted culture of empathy and selflessness that reflects the very best of the Trust’s values.

Award for Enable:
Sue Smith, Accounts Payable Manager and Dave Pullinger, Assistant Supplies Manager

Sue and Dave consistently provide invaluable advice and support, resolving complex ordering, invoicing and credit issues and ensuring timely payments and smooth purchasing processes. Their exceptional teamwork and guidance are crucial in helping colleagues navigate particularly complicated situations, enabling projects to proceed and preventing similar issues from recurring in the future, which ultimately results in a better experience for patients across the Trust.

Our Judges

Thank you to our 24 judges for taking the time to read and score nominations within their teams during July, especially on top of their busy day jobs. Our judging panel was made up representatives from all of our care groups, our corporate areas, and most major occupational groups and some colleague networks to ensure broad representation.

Thank you to all of our sponsors whose kind donations have enabled us to hold a special evening on which we can honour our hard working staff.

Special thanks to our Gold sponsors

And to our Silver sponsors

Thanks also to the following organisations for supporting our BHT 2025 Awards:

and to MyARK, Waterside Theatre, Opuz Aylesbury, SHJ, Circles (BHT Assist).